Zika virus infection disrupts neurovascular development and results in postnatal microcephaly with brain damage

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.143768
• Publication Date: 2016-10-12T00:20:46Z
• Authors: Qiang Shao; Stephanie Herrlinger; Si-Lu Yang; Fan Lai; Julie M. Moore; Melinda A. Brindley; Jian-Fu Chen
• Keywords: Microcephaly; Zika Virus; Astrogliosis; Gliosis; Brain damage

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection of pregnant women can result in fetal brain abnormalities. It has been established that ZIKV disrupts neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and leads to embryonic microcephaly. However, the fate other cell types developing their contributions ZIKV-associated abnormalities remain largely unknown. Using intracerebral inoculation mouse brains, we found postnatal growth restriction including In addition cycle arrest apoptosis NPCs, causes massive neuronal death axonal rarefaction, which phenocopy humans. Importantly, abnormal vascular density diameter brain, resulting a leaky blood-brain barrier (BBB). Massive BBB leakage indicate damage, is further supported by extensive microglial activation astrogliosis virally infected brains. Global gene analyses reveal dysregulation genes associated with immune responses virus-infected Thus, our data suggest triggers strong response neurovascular development, microcephaly damage.